The big picture:
The two‑day summit opened Tuesday in Rasht, Iran, under the slogan “Caspian: Bridge of Friendship and Regional Development.”
Delegations from Russia (Astrakhan, Dagestan, Kalmykia), Azerbaijan (Baku, Lankaran, Sumqayit), Kazakhstan (Mangystau, Atyrau), Turkmenistan (Balkan), and five Iranian provinces joined.
Senior officials, ambassadors from Caspian states, Iranian ministers of foreign affairs, economy, transport, and culture, as well as the ECO secretary‑general, attended.
The agenda includes three panels:
Economy: investment, trade, agriculture, tourism.
Transit: North-South corridor, maritime, rail, and customs cooperation.
Environment: ecosystem restoration, wetlands protection, fisheries, and green economy.
What they’re saying:
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized the importance of scientific management in combating illegal fishing and rebuilding fish stocks.
He called the Caspian a major energy axis, with oil and gas reserves offering opportunities for economic growth and infrastructure development.
Gharibabadi highlighted the strategic role of commercial ports, saying the Caspian is a natural intersection of transit routes.
He added that cooperation among provinces could create a secure, efficient network for goods and passenger transit, while the region’s cultural diversity provides a foundation for tourism and cultural exchange.
What’s next:
The summit seeks to lay the groundwork for joint projects, cross‑investment, and sustainable development, positioning the Caspian as a hub for energy, trade, and cultural connectivity.
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
